Davao gears up for M.I.C.E.

Subscribe Now September 07, 2011 at 01:21pm

DAVAO City, known as the Fruit Basket and Orchid Capital of the Philippines, is revving up to sustain its position as a top destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (M.I.C.E.). Through a program initiated by the Department of Tourism dubbed as "Let’s Meet in Davao", the city has hit the ground inviting all MICE market segments to enjoy the islands to highlands allure of the Southern Mindanao region.

As the center of business, trade and investment throughout the region as well as a key player in the flourishing trading hub of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area, tourism in Davao has grown in leaps and bounds. Davao City, in particular, has developed a set of well-educated professionals and highly skilled staff experienced in the unique and demanding needs of the local and international MICE markets. The city hosted the 25th Tourism Forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2006, which became its entry to the world of international MICE.

"I remember that Davao was able to pull off that feat in organizing an international event of that magnitude in so short a time. It transcended a big challenge to volunteer as the host of the annual gathering of the discriminating tourism officials and travel executives of the 10-member countries of the Asean in less than a year when the country responsible to host it suddenly backed out. That amazing feat was the talk of the travel world for a long time," former Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim recalled.

"By being magnificently blessed with its natural, cultural and human resources, Davao can always deliver beyond the expectations of every MICE planner, organizer and delegate," he added.

"The multiplier effect of MICE creates a ripple effect that benefits almost all sectors in the economy," Jason Magnaye, tourism operations officer of Davao City, said during the fellowship dinner of the 37th Philippine Society of Training and Development (PSTD) National Convention held at the first-class Apo View Hotel.

PSTD national president Francis Jesse Rebustillo complemented Davao’s MICE dream by sharing the association’s vision of making the Philippines as the training hub of Asia.

"The MICE Davao Program launch during our national convention really captures target markets that will help make it happen for the city," Rebustillo.

In between exotic performances depicting ethnic festivals of the region, the Department of Tourism launched its Davao MICE program through its MICE Desk.

"The Department of Tourism is pleased to establish its MICE Desk that aims to help organizers and planners in making their next MICE activity very productive as well as truly meaningful and memorable in Davao," regional director Art Boncato of DOT-Region 11 said.

Some services which are offered by DOT’s MICE Desk consist of the extension of information and advice to planners and organizers; promotion through traditional and new media; and airport support and reception at the Davao International Airport. Tiered non-monetary incentives for organizers and/or organizations are also available.

A Davao MICE manual can be downloaded from the www.micedavao.com for details on how to avail of the Davao MICE Desk services for groups of less than a hundred up to thousands of delegates.